By Chris Webb

The Fillmore Civic Pride volunteers award a Yard of the Month prize several times throughout the year. This month’s winner is Jeannie, and her garden, located at 125 Serra Drive, is one of minimalistic beauty.
The colors of the rock, block boarder, and plants combine in a natural and pleasing way. The materials are neatly installed, and the area is well maintained.

The combination and placement of cactus and succulents, including Oger and Aloe Vera varieties, create a simple and peaceful area. The plants are a combination of those planted by her late father and others she brought with her when she moved to Fillmore.

Like all gardeners Jeannie has additional plans for the space, including the addition of a candy-striped Rose bush. Each Yard of the Month winner receives a gift card for Fillmore’s Otto and Sons Nursery, who are known for their incredible collection of roses and other plants.

This month’s winner is a great example of how beautiful outdoor spaces can be simple, easy to maintain, and full of beauty. Congratulations, Jeannie!

Pictured above are Rhonda and Paul Taylor outside San Cayetano Elementary helping out with school drop-off.
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Photo & story by Brandy Hollis

Let me tell you about a kind lady with a beautiful Louisiana accent. Her name is Rhonda Taylor. She has been in Fillmore for a few years now, and I have met her off & on around town. You might recognize her from the voting center doing more than her civic duty. She cares for our community and is impassioned to lend a hand as part of the FUSD Oversight Bond Committee, auditing and reviewing auditor’s reports. She is always involved with her beautiful grandchildren, whom she adores, along with her sweet husband Paul.

I ran into her one morning at the San Cayetano school drop-off on Mountain View and mentioned we had a new drop-off/pick-up procedure coming, and extra hands were always welcomed to help direct traffic. Guess what? She was there at 7:30 a.m. and jumped right in helping with the traffic, with kind reminders of new drop-off locations. As we finished, she wistfully said how much she missed working at the school and thought San Cayetano is a special place--she could feel it when she walked into the office.

If you could do one thing today, be like Rhonda Taylor, lend a hand! Be part of the solution. If it takes a village, I’m glad my village includes Rhonda and Paul.

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=95
(Ventura) – Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced today the official election results certification for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election. A total of 196,415 ballots were cast in this Statewide Direct Primary election: 89.84% of voters cast vote-by-mail ballots and 10.16% voted in person, resulting in a 38.51% voter turnout in Ventura County.

According to Elections Code 8140, County nonpartisan contests are decided in the primary and will not appear on the general election ballot if a candidate garners more than 50% of the vote. The offices elected in the March 5, 2024 Primary Election are:
• Ventura County Board of Supervisors, 1st District: Matt LaVere
• Ventura County Board of Supervisors, 3rd District: Kelly Long
• Ventura County Board of Supervisors, 5th District: Vianey Lopez
• Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. Four: Julia Snyder

The Presidential Primary races were party-specific with separate elections held for the six official political parties in California: American Independent, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, Peace and Freedom, and Republican parties. Other federal and state races are scheduled for a run-off of the top-two finishers in the November 5, 2024 General Election. Full election results from Ventura County are now available on the VenturaVote.org website. Statewide contest results are on the Secretary of State website: https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/

Today’s certification completes the Official Canvass period that included: tabulation of early voting ballots, Election Day ballots, and Vote-By-Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and received by the 7-day deadline; investigations of conditional registration and provisional ballots; the One-Percent Manual Tally audit; and the curing of mail ballot signatures. All processes necessary to complete the Official Canvass were completed well within the 30-day deadline required by the California Elections Code.

“I’m very proud of the work our team has done in this first major election of my term,” said Registrar Michelle Ascencion. “The Presidential Primary can be confusing: people may have been looking for a candidate that didn’t appear on their ballot because of the party-specific slate, and No Party Preference voters didn’t have a presidential contest on their ballot at all! We worked hard to communicate with voters – via media releases, online postings, direct mailings, various outreach events, and the Election Education Series – to give them a head’s up on what was different. Thankfully, the General Election in November is more straightforward.”

Registrar Ascencion and the Elections staff extend their appreciation to the Ventura County community for its support in bringing the election to fruition.

“We are enormously grateful to the other County departments and their employees for assisting us in this election, and there are also many other people to thank,” Ascencion said. “The hundreds of temporary Election Workers from throughout our community, the locations that hosted our Vote Centers, our local media who helped spread the word, our US Postal Service partners who handled hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail for us… we couldn’t do it without you all, thank you!”

Additional information can be found on the Elections Division website at VenturaVote.org

Adult Tricycle – One year old $200 – Call 805-524-2830. (4/4)

This Sunday is Easter! Please join your church family for a festive morning. We will be decorating the cross with flowers upstairs in the sanctuary, starting at nine, so we need you to bring your flowers for this lovely cross.
Next, we will have an Easter egg hunt at 9:15 in LeBard Hall. Since the weather forecast is for rain, the children can hunt eggs in a dry, indoors setting. Unless of course, the forecast changes!

Then after church we will continue to celebrate with a potluck dinner in Lebard Hall! We will order chicken from Super A, so all you need to bring will be side dishes and desserts. Please let the church office know if you are attending, so we can order enough chicken.

Sheriff Jim Fryhoff is pleased to announce the graduation of the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center’s Academy Class #2023-2. The graduation ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2024. The graduation will occur at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, California.

The recruits have completed 24 weeks of instruction through the combined efforts of local law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice entities. The intense training and education have best prepared them to serve their communities as peace officers. The keynote speaker for the event will be Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon.

Please see below for the names of the graduating recruits and their respective agencies.

ACADEMY ROSTER
Basic Academy Class #2023-2
Graduating Recruits

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Boulette, Andrew
Nunez, Andy
Oseguera, Timothy Fabian
Taylor, John

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Medina, Osvaldo
Melling, Blake A.

SANTA BARBARA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Cruz, Ellie
Palmerin Pina, Rodrigo Jose
Sanchez Jr., Mario Albert
Sandoval, Leonardo
Smith, Ashley Alex

SANTA PAULA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Acevedo, Edward
DeLong III, Richard

UC SANTA BARBARA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Ledwith, Ryan

VENTURA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Lopez, Josue
McDonald, Kyle D.
Sammons, Tyler Christian
Tribe, Luke G.

VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Anguiano, Edward
Barraza, Ruben
Bond, Zane
Carmona, Alani
Chase, Jeffrey
De Leon, Jonathan
Espinoza, Julio
Gunderson, Neil
Harper, Cole
Jimenez, Adrian
Jimenez, Jorge
Jordan, Ryan
Leonard, Joseph
Miranda, Manuel
Robinson, Kole
Salzman, Shane H.
Suarez, Cristian Dominguez
Villatoro, Isaiah N.

Nature of Incident: Academy Class 2023-2 Graduation
Location: Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, California

Date & Time: Friday, March 29, 2024 / 1:00 p.m.
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center

Prepared by: Sergeant Tyler Abbott
Approved by: Captain Randy Downard

“The Ventura County Garden Club celebrates its 100th Year Season in 2024. The Luncheon will be provided by the Fillmore members, and the Fillmore Director/Organizer, Stephen McKeown. The Luncheon will be held at noon on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church located at 117 N. 7th Street, Santa Paula. Local Artist, and Club Member, Michelle Smith, who is affiliated with the

Ventura County Gourd Artists, will talk about spreading the joy of growing and using gourds as an art medium. Please bring items to sell and exchange at the plant table. A Board Meeting will be held at 10:00 am. We welcome new members. For more information, visit our website at VenturaCountyGardenClub.com.“

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By Jan Lee

In case you forgot, the Fillmore Flower Show is just around the corner! On April 6 and 7, 2024, the Active Adult Center at 533 Santa Clara Street will open its doors to displays of flowers, potted plants and dish gardens. Theme this year is “Flower Power”.

There are three divisions at the Flower Show especially for youth. First is Youth Arrangements. These are flower displays limited to 20 inches by 20 inches. The arrangements must be arranged at the show without adult help. Try to have the arrangement reflect the theme. Judging will begin at 10 a.m. so the work must be completed by that time. There are four classifications: Age 3 to 2nd grade; Grades 3-6; Grades 7 to 12; Team Arrangements. Make an arrangement yourself or with a team. Maybe your team, soccer, baseball, basketball, can put together an arrangement. Get together with your fellow Scouts to make an arrangement. Teams can be your friends, your neighbors, your class, your siblings, etc. The kids in Fillmore are creative, inventive and smart. Show us what you can bring to the Flower Show.

The second Youth Division is Youth Composition. This can be an original poem or short essay on a single page, with or without illustration, on the theme of the Flower Show, “Flower Power”. So, any youth that don’t garden, but love flowers and love how they make our world beautiful, can express their thoughts in this competitive division. There is a small cash prize in this division.

The third Youth Division is Youth Art. This division is non-competitive. Youth should submit an original piece of artwork on the Flower Show theme, “Flower Power”. Artist’s name and age should be on the front of the work. Please bring artwork to the Center on Friday, April 5 between 3 and 4:30p.m.

Youth may also enter any of the other divisions. Youth entries are FREE. All entries are accepted on Saturday morning between 7:30-10:00a.m. The exhibits are open for public viewing on Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 1:00 and 4:00p.m. For complete rules and information go to: fillmoreflowershow.org.

FILLMORE, CA, March 19, 2024--Fillmore's ReGEN Yoga and Wellness Center will offer an opportunity to shake off winter's chill with Spring Dance Revival, a two-part celebration for anyone who enjoys moving and grooving to music. The April 6 event will include an hour of expressive Nia-style dancing and a workshop in similar principles at the Fillmore on Central, the picturesque former church in the heart of Fillmore's historic downtown.

Nia is a holistic movement and wellness practice that blends the joy of dance, martial arts and mindfulness to benefit body, mind and soul. Ideal for all ages and skill-levels, it invites practitioners, usually barefoot, to improvise within a series of simple, set moves.

"You don't have to know how to dance, it's all about the joy, play and positivity of movement," said ReGEN owner Renee Swenson. "There's a freedom within the structure and you feel like a kid when you're doing it."
For the event's Dance Jam, a party of sorts, four expert instructors will suggest movements participants may use as they choose to world music. Instructors include ReGEN's Christy Cantrell and its manager and event organizer Melissa Diaz, who has achieved a black-belt level of Nia training and taught throughout Ventura County and online with inSpirit, a prominent New Mexico studio. The latter is also home to the event's instructor Vanessa Lowe and was founded by special guest Sarah Nickerson, who will lead the event's Dancing Your Essence workshop.

"One of the most powerful and healing things we can do in community is to bring our most honest, authentic, and beautifully diverse selves forward," Nickerson says of her approach. "We all deserve to arrive in our 'now' body with dignity and be seen with an open heart and without judgement."

Admission to Spring Dance Revival, which includes snacks, a goodie bag and raffle ticket, is $59. Check in begins at 10:30 a.m.; the Dance Jam starts at 10:45 a.m. and the Dancing Your Essence Workshop begins at 12:05 p.m. Instructors will accommodate students who wish to participate in a chair. Registration: regenyoga.com. Address: The Fillmore on Central, 461 Central Ave., Fillmore, CA 93015. 310-403-4647.

About ReGEN Yoga and Wellness Center: Opened in Fillmore’s historic downtown in 2017, ReGEN Yoga and Wellness Center offers indoor, outdoor and virtual classes including yoga, Nia dance, health and fitness classes that will regenerate your mind and body. Our wellness services include acupuncture and massage. Visit our refurbished 1911 bungalow to sample a class or as part of a day-trip back in time to Fillmore, established in 1887 when Southern Pacific railroad built a depot that is now part of our town's picturesque past. For more information and a ReGEN class schedule, visit https://www.regenyoga.com/.

Calendar Listing: Saturday, April 6: Spring Dance Revival, a Nia-dance based celebration including a Dance Jam and Express Your Essence workshop with four expert instructors. Check in: 10:30 a.m.; Dance Jam: 10:45 a.m.; Dancing Your Essence Workshop: 12:05 p.m. Instructors will accommodate students who wish to participate in a chair. The Fillmore on Central, 461 Central Ave., Fillmore, CA 93015. Registration and more information: regenyoga.com; 310-403-4647.

CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) today announced an emergency shuttle service that will operate between Santa Paula and Ojai to help residents affected by the closure of State Route 150.

The temporary shuttle service will begin Wednesday, March 20, and will operate Monday through Friday. The service will be provided at no cost to passengers.

The shuttle service is being offered in coordination with the County of Ventura, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Highway Patrol. The shuttle will be operated by MV Transportation, which also operates the Valley Express bus service in Santa Paula, Fillmore and surrounding unincorporated areas.

Southbound morning and afternoon trips will depart Steckel Park/KOA and will make stops at Thomas Aquinas College, The Summit (Topa Lane), Stonegate Road-Mupu Elementary School and Santa Paula City Hall/Veterans Park. The driver will stop by request (flag stop) at Vons at Highways 33 and 150.

Northbound morning trips will depart Santa Paula City Hall/Veterans Park and will make stops at The Summit (Sisar Road), Thomas Aquinas College and Steckel Park/KOA. Northbound afternoon trips will depart either Stonegate Road-Mupu Elementary School or Santa Paula City Hall/Veterans Park. The driver will stop by request (flag stop) at Vons at Highways 33 and 150. Please see the schedule and map (below and attached) for details.

For more information, passengers may call the Regional Transit Information Center at 800-438-1112.

“We know this closure has been incredibly disruptive to residents who rely on State Route 150 to get to work, school and other important destinations every day. We hope this service will provide some relief to residents who now face transportation challenges because of the closure,” said Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere, who is also chair of VCTC. LaVere represents District 1, which includes Ojai Valley, City of Ojai, Upper Ojai Valley and West Lockwood Valley.

“It is a true hardship when our community members suddenly lose access to a route that connects them to essential services. We appreciate the patience and understanding of residents in the area as our agency partners have worked to establish this shuttle service,” said Ventura County Board of Supervisors Chair Kelly Long, who is also a VCTC commissioner. Long represents District 3, which includes the City of Santa Paula, the City of Fillmore, Piru and East Lockwood Valley.

VCTC Executive Director Martin Erickson said, “The Ventura County Transportation Commission recognizes the critical role of public transit in emergency situations such as the State Route 150 closure. We are grateful to the assistance provided by our county leaders, Caltrans and the CHP that makes this shuttle service possible.”

Through traffic on State Route 150 has been blocked since early February due to a mudslide that covered a large portion of the road. Caltrans and emergency contractors are working to stabilize and clear the mudslide.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission

The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.

All items passed 5-0

8.A APPROVE THE 2024-2025 VENTURA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICE LEVEL REQUEST

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve the 2024-2025 Service Level Request for Ventura County Animal Services to provide animal services to the City’s residents.

8.B AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 22-04, CITY HALL ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION PROJECT, AND AWARD OF AN AGREEMENT FOR ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES.

RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Make an additional allocation of $29,089.70 from the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) Fund to account number 209-4209-0053-362 – Elevator Modernization Project. 2. Approve the award of a contract to Specialized Elevator Services, LLC doing business as Next Level Elevator (“Next Level Elevator”) for the construction of Project Specification No. 22-04 – City Hall Elevator Modernization Project (“Project”). 3. Make an annual allocation of $3,000 from the General Fund to account number 101-4209- 0021-207 to fund a five-year maintenance agreement.

4. Approve a Consultant Services Agreement for Elevator Maintenance Services with Next Level Elevator.

8.C APPOINTMENT OF PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES TO CALIFORNIA JOINT POWERS INSURANCE AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDATION City staff recommends that the Council: 1.) Appoint an elected official to the CJPIA Board of Directors as the Primary delegate; and 2) Appoint an alternate delegate that is either an elected official or staff member.

8.D CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE GENERATOR INSTALLATION AT ACTIVE ADULT CENTER.
REQUEST That the City Council: 1. Appropriate an additional $82,898 of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to capital fund account code 231-4209-0031-389 for the uses described immediately below; 2. Approve an increase to the contract with Delta Electric LLC in the amount of $62,650 for the change order work related to construction of the Generator Installation at the Active Adult Center, Spec No. 21-02, including the undergrounding of the existing 600 Amp service to the building; and 3. Approve an increase to the general engineering component of the contract with Willdan Engineering in the amount of $25,500 for Willdan to perform additional professional engineering services for design, bid, project management, construction management, inspection and labor compliance to complete related to the change order work for project completion in compliance with the grant funding and public contract requirements. The First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement Amendment shall be part of a larger contract amendment presented to the City Council on March 27, 2024.

2024 Annual Flower Show is just around the corner. The theme this year is “Flower Power”! Held at the Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street. Entries accepted between 7:30- 10:00a.m. Saturday morning. Adults: $5 for unlimited entries. Youth: Free. Saturday and Sunday open for public viewing from 1-4p.m. Admission is free. Not only will there be beautiful flowers and plants, but also live music and a plant boutique. Mark your calendar and plan to attend.
Now let’s talk arrangements and bouquets!

Division IV-Bouquets: cut stem or stems of the same flower variety, or mixed colors or type of a variety, but with no filler material. Exhibitor provides the vase.

Division V- Arrangements: Flower displays up to 20”x20” with containers provided by exhibitor that may include items appropriate to the scene and theme. There are three categories for arrangements, Traditional, Oriental Manner and Modern Abstract (can include dried plant material). This division is perfect for imaginative exhibitors. Express your interpretation of the theme. Show off your blooms. Wow the judges with your creativity. All of us look forward to seeing what Fillmore gardeners bring to the show! Start planning now!

In photographs, see if you can spot the difference between a bouquet and an arrangement. For complete information go to fillmoreflowershow.org.

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Courtesy Fillmore Civic Pride

The yard of Eric Quintero is the winner of Fillmore Civic Pride’s March 2024. The house is located at 220 Saratoga Street. Eric is the owner of EQ Landscaping.

He has lived in the home for approximately 20 years and has totally redone the front yard. He said when he moved in it was just old grass with a straight walkway to the house. However, after his efforts, it is completely different today.
The design is exceptional on many levels. The layout of garden beds are well placed and help to create different sections, including two separate seating areas. Plants used in the beds are a variety of sizes and are also well placed. The hardscape materials, including a large fountain, are mainly stone and look beautiful with the grass and other plants. The stonework is well placed and in proportion with the rest of the yard. One seating area is metal and the contrast of the metal and stone creates additional interest while at the same time, the elements are also harmonious. The grass area itself is a large pathway connecting the sections together and inviting the visitor further into the garden.

In addition to the design, Eric installed all the features himself and maintains it as well. The workmanship is spectacular. The grading of the yard and beds was meticulously crafted and create a smooth flowing canvas for the entire landscape.
The trees and shrubs are pruned in a way that turns them into living pieces of art. The rest of the plants and grass are also maintained to perfection. The bedding plants are replaced every 3 to 4 months to give the yard variety. Right now, the bedding plants are red begonias.

These features together make for a very tranquil place to enjoy and be proud of. Congratulations Eric Quintero!.
All Yard of the Month winners receive a gift card from Otto & Sons Nursery.

Allison Barker was the Fillmore Rotary speaker last week. She is a member of the Ventura County 99s, made up of women pilots; the first member was Amelia Earhart. Allison talked about events for aviation and STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Students need to get excited for the future and by taking these subjects they will be prepared. There are many new planes, drone flights, package delivery and exploring space coming in the future, and students will need a bachelor’s degree for these careers. Santa Paula, Camarillo and Oxnard airports have resources to educate students and adults, such as EAA Young Eagles-Free Flights for youth, Aviation Explorers, Wings Over Camarillo. STEM, and Commemorative Air Force Museum.